Ex-Durant star, Detroit Tigers are a good match

As a star at Durant, Ryan Raburn was good enough to earn a scholarship to the University of Florida. Today, he's on the verge of making the Detroit Tigers' opening day roster. What are his odds? Well, that's a very good question. As a mid-season callup from Triple-A last year, Raburn, 26, batted .304. Tigers manager Jim Leyland has praised him. The writers who cover the team on a regular basis speak highly of him. And the fact Raburn can play a variety of positions (he's officially listed as an outfielder, but played second base and third base Sunday) certainly helps. Still, there are no guarantees, and with opening day right around the corner that will make this an interesting -- and stressful -- week in Raburn's life. Despite that, he chatted with the Times over the weekend, and here's what he had to say ...

SPT: Do you feel like you've had a good camp, and as we're getting closer toward the end how do you like your chances of sticking with the team?

RR: Really, I don’t know about my chances. I know I was successful when I got called up last year. And I’m pretty sure I’ve made a good impression on them. But as far as the outcome I don’t know what’s going to happen. I just come out every day, play ball and see what happens.

SPT: How did you become this guy who can play just about everywhere on the field?

RR: Even in Little League, I always played everywhere. When I went to high school I played shortstop. When I went to Florida, I played centerfield and a little bit of third. Then I went to junior college (South Florida Community College) and played third there.

SPT: Because of that versatility, you’re kind of a super sub with the Tigers, aren’t you?

RR: More or less, yes. It’s given me the best opportunity to play in the Big Leagues right now. I’m not saying that one day I won’t have the starting job, but getting started in the Big Leagues, this gives me the best opportunity.

SPT: What is your preferred position?

RR: Probably the outfield, because it gives me the best opportunity to hit.

SPT: We know you went to Durant, but in which town did you grow up?

RR: The Brandon-Riverview area. I grew up in Brandon a little bit, then moved over to the Riverview area and lived there for about seven or eight years.

SPT: Being a small-town guy, it must have been quite a change to live in Detroit.

RR: Oh yeah, I grew up in the country. When I was younger, we had 856 acres. And now, I’ve got five acres of my own.

SPT: Is playing in the Big Leagues everything you thought it would be?

RR: It’s more. You always think about how it’s going to be, but when you get there it’s 10 times better.

SPT: How so?

RR: Just the lifestyle. You go to all the stadiums and you’re seeing all these guys you grew up watching. And the fans. And of course the money makes it awesome. But really, it’s just the atmosphere of playing with people like (Gary) Sheffield, Magglio (Ordonez) … and the experience of being around these guys.

SPT: Who’s your best friend on the team?

RR: I’m really close with (outfielder) Curtis Granderson. He’s a really good guy.

SPT: Since spring training is in Lakeland, do you live at your home during March?

RR: Yeah, I just drive back and forth every day.

SPT: Do you think it helps you at all that you can sleep in your own bed?

RR: Yeah, it helps out a lot. I get to go home. I get to see my family and friends for an extra month and half.

SPT: When do you think you’ll find out your status with the team?

RR: I really don’t know. Like I said, I think I showed them last year I could play a little bit. The decision’s up to them now.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Comments

Welcome to the Tigers......the best team in baseball! Hope you have a GREAT season with the team!!!

[Longhorn Fan]

Lennard High School offered someone the Head Football Position today. Who got it?

[The real Chuck Shick]

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[roger goodell]

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